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JESUS CAN TURN OBSTACLES INTO OPPORTUNITIES

Matthew 9:18-33

• Obstacles are a form of trouble that everyone faces at some point.
• Jesus – “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows.” (John 16:33)
• Obstacles have a way of frustrating and discouraging our faith.
• Jesus – “The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.” (Matthew 13:20-21)
• Whenever we face obstacles we must stay committed to the Lord.
  
  • “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
  • The Lord will even use our obstacles as opportunities in our lives.
  • “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
• How does the Lord use obstacles as opportunities in our lives?

Obstacles Are Opportunities For Jesus To Bring:
HOPEFULNESS FROM HOPELESSNESS

• “As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before Him. ‘My daughter has just died,’ he said, ‘but You can bring her back to life again if You just come and lay your hand on her.’ So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with him.” (Matthew 9:18-19)
• The Lord can bring hope from even the most hopeless of circumstances.
• When we’re struggling with hopelessness, we need to trust that Jesus will help us.
• “So Jesus and His disciples got up and went with him.” (Matthew 9:19)
• We may not be prepared for calamity, but Jesus is always there with us.
• “‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” (Psalm 34:18)
• When we’re struggling with hopelessness, we need to realize that the Lord’s delays are not His denials.
  
  • “Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Him.” (Matthew 9:20)
  • “Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying.” (Romans 12:12)
  • Sometimes we experience delays because: 1) The Time Isn’t Right (Habakkuk 2:3), 2) The Request Isn’t Right (Romans 8:28), or 3) Our Heart Isn’t Right (James 4:1,3).
  • “The Lord isn’t really being slow about His promise, as some people think. No, He is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)
• When we’re struggling with hopelessness, we need to rely on the Lord’s promises.
  
  • Jesus – “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” (Matthew 9:24)
  • We can always trust the Lord to keep His promises.
  • “Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.” (Romans 15:4)
• What situation do I need the Lord to give me hope?

Obstacles Are Opportunities For Jesus To Bring:
SERENITY FROM SUFFERING

• “Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind Him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, ‘If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 9:20-22)
• Even the pursuit of healing can bring suffering.
• “She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.” (Mark 5:26)
• The secret to overcoming suffering is to not give up.
• Enduring suffering is easier when we Understand God’s Perspective.
• “Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory He will reveal to us later.” (Romans 8:18)
• Enduring suffering is easier when we Trust God’s Purposes.
• “You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21)
• When we’re going through suffering, we’ve got to keep on going with Jesus.
• Job – “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15 NKJV)
• How is God trying to use some of my sufferings?

Obstacles Are Opportunities For Jesus To Bring:
RESTORATION FROM RESTRICTIONS

• “After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind Him, shouting, ‘Son of David, have mercy on us!’ They went right into the house where He was staying, and Jesus asked them, ‘Do you believe I can make you see?’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ they told Him, ‘we do.’ Then He touched their eyes and said, ‘Because of your faith, it will happen.’ Then their eyes were opened, and they could see!” (Matthew 9:27-30)
• The devil will often use physical, mental, and emotional ailments to limit our capacity to serve the Lord.
• Jesus – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” (John 10:10)
• The Lord will often work through our limitations to demonstrate His glory and to present a great testimony.
• “Rabbi,’ His disciples asked Him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’ ‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.’” (John 9:2-3)
• Heaven offers the promise of a life unencumbered by physical, mental, and emotional limitations.
• “He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like His own.” (Philippians 3:21)
• “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.” (Revelation 21:4)
• What physical, mental, or emotional ailments do I need the Lord to heal?

Obstacles Are Opportunities For Jesus To Bring:
BREAKTHROUGH FROM BONDAGE

• When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. So Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. ‘Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!’ they exclaimed.” (Matthew 9:32-33)
• The devil will often attack Christians with debilitating guilt, shame, bitterness, fear, anger, and more.
• “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
• We often open the door to bondage when we “accept” sin in our lives.
• “‘Don’t sin by letting anger control you.’ Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27)
• We can live in freedom when we know the truth and live the truth.
• “But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9)
• Jesus – “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:32)
• Where do I need to experience breakthrough in my life?
• The difference between obstacle and opportunity is really a matter of perspective.
• “But the Pharisees said, ‘He can cast out demons because He is empowered by the prince of demons.’” (Matthew 9:34)
• Only when we see Jesus as the Almighty Supreme God will we recognize that every obstacle, every challenge – everything is under His authority.
• “Christ is also the head of the church, which is His body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So He is first in everything. For God in all His fullness was pleased to live in Christ.” (Colossians 1:18-19)
• If Jesus can overcome the grave, He can help us overcome every obstacle we face.
• What is the Lord saying to me through today’s message?